Photo from Eastern Mindanao Command website
Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, the chief of the Davao-based Eastern Mindanao Command, is the next chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Guerrero will replace AFP chief Gen. Eduardo A帽o, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56聽on Thursday.
Based on a letter addressed to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana that was obtained by聽, the designation of Guerrero was approved by President Rodrigo Duterte on Oct. 25.
The leading contenders for the AFP leadership were Guerrero and Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, who also supervised the recently concluded military operations in Marawi City.
But Guerrero, also fondly called in the military circles as Jagger, will reach the requirement age of retirement on聽Dec. 17. It was still unclear if he would serve for only two months or if his term would be extended.
Guerrero, a Special Forces officer, is a member of the Philippine Military Academy 鈥淢aharlika鈥� Class of 1984.
Some of his previous positions include: commander of the Army鈥檚 3rd Infantry Division based in Capiz; commander of 701st Brigade in Davao Oriental; commander of Task Force Davao; and senior military assistant to President Gloria Arroyo.
As the chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, he oversees the Davao Region, the bailiwick of Duterte, Caraga, and parts of Soccsksargen.
Guerrero鈥檚 name has consistently surfaced for the AFP leadership position since Duterte assumed office last year.
He is the third AFP chief to be appointed under the Duterte administration, following Gen. Ricardo Visaya, who served for six months, and A帽o, who served for 10 months.